David Cook
Sports Scene
With their tennis courts under reconstruction this fall, the DeWitt boys tennis team had to take on a role of road warriors this season.
Hitting the road for all of their matches, including the regional tournament, the Panthers took on the challenge and turned in a solid season.
“We’ve had a pretty good season,” coach Sue Bailey said. “You know we don’t have our courts. Our courts are being redone, so we‘ve been having to travel to Court One to practice. We have to travel away to every match, which is very tiring for a season. It’s kind of rebuilding year for us; we’ve got a lot of new, young kids on the team. A couple of freshmen and quite a few sophomores. I think we’ve had a great season based on not knowing who is going to be playing with who. Our doubles teams are all restructured this year. Based on everything we‘ve had to deal with this year, it‘s been a real successful season.”
On top of that, the Panthers have had to fight injuries. Both No. 2 and No. 3 singles were out during the middle portion of the season, and No. 4 singles returned from injury just in time for the regional.
Individually, the Panthers have had a number of strong efforts. At No. 1 singles, junior Brad Parsons turned in a solid season. After playing No. 2 singles last year, Parsons made the leap to No. 1 singles, and going into the regional tournament, he had a 10-6 overall record.
“He’s actually been doing very well,” Bailey said. “When you’re at No. 1, you’re up against some of those top-level club players, but he‘s had a great year. He‘s a great competitor. It doesn’t matter who he’s playing, he competes 100 percent every point. I could be over there and I never know if he’s winning or losing by his demeanor. He’s got that good, calm demeanor out there and just keeps competing. He’s a good kid. I’ve had him since he was five years old at my camps. He was a good little swinger of the racquet then, too.”
At No. 2 singles, the Panthers have received a strong effort from freshman Caimen Barber.
“He’s been unbelievable for us,” Bailey said. “He’s had very few losses for us. He‘s a great competitor.”
Senior Jared Helmic started the season with a 6-1 record at No. 3 singles before missing time with an injury and returning in time for the regional. Sophomore Sam Schuster moved into the No. 3 singles spot when Helmic was injured and turned in a solid season.
In doubles action, seniors Alex Smith and Jim Kolberg have led the way at No. 1 doubles.
“Our one doubles has been outstanding,” Bailey said. “This is their first pairing together, and they only had two or three losses during the season.”